Multi-stage wireless power

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed towards a multi-stage wireless power transmission system that includes a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits a power beam to the receiving unit, which converts the power beam into local electrical power and provides it to a personal electronic device without a corded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply. The transmitting unit includes a light-based transmitter to generate and transmit a power beam towards the receiving unit. The receiving unit includes a receiver to receive at least a portion of the power beam and to convert the received power beam into local electrical power. The receiving unit also includes a power output unit to provide the received local power to a personal electronic device when the personal electronic device, which is separable from the receiving unit, is electrically coupled to the power output unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/163,307, filed on May 18, 2015,entitled “Provisional Patents for Wireless Power” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods toprovide wireless power to personal electronic devices, and moreparticularly, but not exclusively to, utilizing an intermediate powerstorage system to receive wireless power from a transmitter, store thereceived power, and provide the stored power to a personal electronicdevice.

Description of the Related Art

Wireless delivery of power is of utility for many applications,including unmanned aerial vehicles and personal electronic devices, suchas laptops and smartphones. Power beaming directs focusedelectromagnetic or acoustic power, which may be laser light, from atransmitter to a receiver in order to deliver power wirelessly. However,many personal electronic devices that consumers utilize today are notcapable of receiving and converting a power beam into electricity forthe personal electronic device. It is with respect to these and otherconsiderations that the embodiments described herein have been made.

All of the subject matter discussed in the Background section is notnecessarily prior art and should not be assumed to be prior art merelyas a result of its discussion in the Background section. Along theselines, any recognition of problems in the prior art discussed in theBackground section or associated with such subject matter should not betreated as prior art unless expressly stated to be prior art. Instead,the discussion of any subject matter in the Background section should betreated as part of the inventor's approach to the particular problem,which in and of itself may also be inventive.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed towards a multi-stage wireless powertransmission system. The system includes a transmitting unit and areceiving unit. The transmitting unit transmits a power beam to thereceiving unit. The receiving unit converts the power beam into localelectrical power and provides it to a personal electronic device withouta corded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply.

The transmitting unit includes a transmitter to generate and transmit apower beam towards the receiving unit. The transmitting unit may alsoinclude a controller to manage the transmission of the power beam. Forexample, in some cases, the controller will adjust a timing or rate ofthe transmission of the power beam by the transmitter based on a numberof interruptions of the power beam (caused by a safety systemdetermining that an object is impinging the power beam) over a giventime period. In other embodiments, the controller will directtransmission of the power beam according to one or more predeterminedtime slots, a particular scheduling algorithm, or according to someother mechanism. In some embodiments, the transmitting unit includes alocator device to determine a location of the receiver relative to thetransmitter. The controller aims the transmitter at the receiver basedon the determined location of the receiver.

The receiving unit includes a receiver to receive at least a portion ofthe power beam and to convert the received power beam into electricalpower that is local to the receiving unit. The receiving unit alsoincludes a power output unit to provide the received local power to apersonal electronic device when the personal electronic device (that isseparable from the receiving unit) is electrically coupled to the poweroutput unit. In some embodiments, the power output unit includes ashort-range-wireless-power-transfer device (e.g., aninduction-based-power-transfer device) to provide the local power to thepersonal electronic device without a power cord. In other embodiments,the power output unit includes an electrical outlet to receive a powercord electrically coupled to the personal electronic device and toprovide the local power to the personal electronic device.

In some embodiments, the receiving unit may also include a power storagesystem to store the local power when received by the receiver. Thestored local power is later provided to the power output unit to betransferred to the personal electronic device. In other embodiments, thelocal power is provided to the personal electronic device via the poweroutput unit without first being stored by a power storage system

In a first embodiment, a system includes a transmitting unit and anon-stationary receiving unit. The transmitting unit includes alight-based transmitter to generate and transmit a power beam, and acontroller to manage transmission of the power beam by the light-basedtransmitter. The non-stationary receiving unit, which is remote from thelight-based transmitter, includes a light-based receiver to receive atleast a portion of the power beam and to convert the received portion ofthe power beam into local electrical power, wherein the local electricalpower is local to the non-stationary receiving unit. The non-stationaryreceiving unit also includes a power storage system to store the localelectrical power and a power output unit to provide the local electricalpower from the power storage system to a personal electronic device whenthe personal electronic device is electrically coupled to the poweroutput unit. The personal electronic device is separable from thenon-stationary receiving unit.

In some cases of the first embodiment, the power output unit of thenon-stationary receiving unit includes ashort-range-wireless-power-transfer device to wirelessly provide thelocal electrical power to the personal electronic device. In thesecases, the short-range-wireless-power-transfer device is arranged totransfer the local electrical power via an inductive coupling to thepersonal electronic device. In other cases of the first embodiment, thepower output unit includes at least one connector arranged to receive apower cord, and the power cord is electrically coupled to the personalelectronic device and arranged to provide the local electrical power tothe personal electronic device.

In some cases of the first embodiment, the non-stationary receiving unitis arranged to receive at least the portion of the power beam from thelight-based transmitter in an absence of a corded electrical connectionbetween the receiving unit and a mains power supply. In these cases, thenon-stationary receiving unit is further arranged to provide the localelectrical power to the personal electronic device in the absence of thecorded electrical connection between the receiving unit and the mainspower supply. In these and other cases of the first embodiment, thecontroller is arranged to direct the light-based transmitter to transmitthe power beam toward a second non-stationary receiving unit.

The transmitting unit in some cases of the first embodiment includes alocator device to determine a location of the light-based receiverrelative to the light-based transmitter. In these cases, the controlleris arranged to aim the light-based transmitter at the light-basedreceiver based on the determined location of the receiver. Thecontroller in some cases of the first embodiment is arranged to adjust atiming parameter associated with a transmission of the power beam by thelight-based transmitter based on a number of interruptions of the powerbeam over a given time period.

In a second embodiment, a system includes a non-stationary receivingunit that is independent from a connection to a mains power supply andis remote from a light-based transmitter arranged to transmit a powerbeam to the receiving unit. The non-stationary receiving unit has asubstantially planar table surface, a base to support the substantiallyplanar table surface, and a light-based receiver integrated with atleast one of the substantially planar table surface and the base. Thelight-based receiver is arranged to receive at least a portion of thepower beam and further arranged to convert the received portion of thepower beam into local electrical power that is local to the receivingunit. A power output unit is integrated with the substantially planartable surface to provide the local electrical power to an electronicdevice when the electronic device is electrically coupled to the poweroutput unit.

In some cases a second embodiment, the power output unit of thenon-stationary receiving unit includes ashort-range-wireless-power-transfer device to wirelessly provide thelocal electrical power to the electronic device. In these and othercases of the second embodiment, the power output unit includes anelectrical outlet to provide the local electrical power to theelectronic device via a power cord.

In some cases of the second embodiment the non-stationary receiving unitis arranged to receive at least a portion of the power beam from thelight-based transmitter in an absence of a corded electrical connectionbetween the receiving unit and the mains power supply. Here, thenon-stationary receiving unit is further arranged to provide the localelectrical power to the electronic device in the absence of the cordedelectrical connection between the receiving unit and the mains powersupply. In still other cases, the receiving unit includes a powerstorage system to store the local electrical power received by thelight-based receiver, the power storage system is arranged to providethe local electrical power to the power output unit, and the powerstorage system is integrated with at least one of the substantiallyplanar table surface and the base.

In a third embodiment, a method includes transmitting a power beam froma light-based transmitter toward a receiving unit, receiving at least aportion of the power beam at the receiving unit, converting the receivedportion of the power beam into local electrical power, and providing thelocal electrical power to a personal electronic device in an absence ofa corded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply.In this third embodiment, providing the local electrical power to thepersonal electronic device may include providing the local electricalpower through a short-range-wireless-power-transfer device thattransfers the electrical power to the personal electronic device withouta power cord. In other cases, however, providing the local electricalpower to the personal electronic device may include providing the localelectrical power through an electrical outlet to the personal electronicdevice via a power cord.

In some cases, the method of the third embodiment also includes scanningan area surrounding the light-based transmitter to identify thereceiving unit, and in response to identifying the receiving unit,determining a location of the receiving unit relative to the light-basedtransmitter. Here, the method also includes aiming the light-basedtransmitter at the receiving unit based on the determined location ofthe receiving unit. In these or other cases of the third embodiment, themethod includes storing the local electrical power in a power supplythat is local to the receiving unit prior to providing the localelectrical power to the personal electronic device via the power outputunit.

In still other cases of the third embodiment, the method includesdetecting one or more objects in a vicinity of the power beam,determining that the one or more objects pose a risk of impeding thetransmission of the power beam from the light-based transmitter to thereceiving unit, and, in response to the determination of risk,interrupting the transmission of the power beam at least until the oneor more objects exit the vicinity of the power beam. Alternatively, inother cases of a third embodiment, the method includes detecting one ormore objects in a vicinity of the power beam, determining that the oneor more objects pose a risk of impeding the transmission of the powerbeam from the light-based transmitter to the receiver, and in responseto the determination of risk, decreasing an intensity of the power beamat least until the one or more objects exit the vicinity of the powerbeam.

This Brief Summary has been provided to introduce certain concepts in asimplified form that are further described in detail below in theDetailed Description. Except where otherwise expressly stated, the BriefSummary does not identify key or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numeralsrefer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwisespecified. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements are selected, enlarged, and positioned to improve drawinglegibility. The particular shapes of the elements as drawn have beenselected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will bemade to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read inassociation with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of an environment where a multi-stagewireless power system is utilized to provide wireless electrical powerto a personal electronic device;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a multi-stage wireless power system;

FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of aprocess for utilizing a multi-stage wireless power system to providewireless power to a personal electronic device; and

FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of aprocess for modifying a power beam transmission to provide wirelesspower to a personal electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is related to the following applications filedon the same day as the present application, naming the same inventors,and assigned to the same entity; each of said applications incorporatedherein by reference to the fullest extent allowed by law: U.S. Pat.Appl. No. NN/NNN,NNN, entitled MULTI-LAYERED SAFETY SYSTEM, bearingclient number 720173.405; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,entitled LIGHT CURTAIN SAFETY SYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.406;U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled DIFFUSION SAFETYSYSTEM, bearing client number 720173.407; U.S. patent application Ser.No. ______, entitled POWER BEAMING VCSEL ARRANGEMENT, bearing clientnumber 720173.408; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitledLOCATING POWER RECEIVERS, bearing client number 720173.409.

The following description, along with the accompanying drawings, setsforth certain specific details in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments may bepracticed in various combinations, without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, devices, materials, etc. Inother instances, well-known structures or components that are associatedwith the environment of the present disclosure, including but notlimited to the communication systems and networks, have not been shownor described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions ofthe embodiments. Additionally, the various embodiments may be methods,systems, media, or devices. Accordingly, the various embodiments may beentirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments, orembodiments combining software and hardware aspects.

Throughout the specification, claims, and drawings, the following termstake the meaning explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to thespecification, claims, and drawings associated with the currentapplication. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,”“in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,”and other variations thereof refer to one or more features, structures,functions, limitations, or characteristics of the present disclosure,and are not limited to the same or different embodiments unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” is aninclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the phrases “A or B, orboth” or “A or B or C, or any combination thereof,” and lists withadditional elements are similarly treated. The term “based on” is notexclusive and allows for being based on additional features, functions,aspects, or limitations not described, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, themeaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include singular and plural references.

The term power beam is used, in all its grammatical forms, throughoutthe present disclosure and claims to refer to a high-flux lighttransmission that may include a field of light, that may be generallydirectional, that may be arranged for steering/aiming to a suitablereceiver. The power beams discussed in the present disclosure includebeams formed by high-flux laser diodes or other like sources includingmicrowave sources, acoustic sources, and other electromagnetic sourcessufficient to deliver a desirable level of power to a remote receiverwithout passing the power over a conventional electrical conduit, suchas wire.

In the present disclosure, the term “light,” when used as part of alight-based transmitter or a light-based receiver refers to atransmitter or receiver arranged to produce or capture, as the case maybe, electromagnetic radiation that falls within the range defined by theelectromagnetic spectrum spanning from extremely low frequencies (ELF)through gamma rays, which includes visible light, ultraviolet light,mid- and short-wavelength infrared light, and other visible andinvisible light.

In various embodiments, the transmitter may also include or have anaccompanying safety system to determine if an object is interfering withor about to interfere with the power beam. In various embodiments, oneor more subsystems or mechanisms for detecting hazards, controlling thehigh-flux power beam activation, and otherwise providing safetyfeatures.

The terms “impinge,” “impinge on,” and the like, as used in the presentdisclosure, may be understood to include a physical impact, anobstruction in a line of sight path, an interference with, anencroachment of, and to have an effect upon. Accordingly, physicalcontact or direct obstruction is not required for one element to impingeon another. Instead, a first element may impinge on a second element ifthe first element is detected or determined to have an actual orimminent effect on the second element, even if the first element is onlynear the second element. A non-exhaustive list of words that mayinterchangeably be used in addition to, in place of, or to betterunderstand any of the grammatical forms of the word “impinge” include,as the context directs: obstruct, encroach, touch, trespass, invade,impede, enter, impose, interfere, intrude, violate, accroach, andobtrude.

In many cases, the flux (W/m²) in an optical high-flux power beam issubstantially above the safe limit for exposure to living tissue such asa human or animal eye. In some cases, the flux is high enough to causeeye damage and/or other non-eye damage such as burns or other changes toliving tissue. It is thus important to detect when people, animals, orother objects are in or will imminently enter the high-flux beam pathduring the time the beam is activated. In these and other cases, it mayalso be important to deter and/or prevent people, animals, and objectsfrom entering the beam path while the beam is activated or will soon beactivated.

In addition to direct exposure to a high-flux power beam, hazardousamounts of light may be reflected specularly or diffusely by objects in,or passing through, the power beam. In some cases the high-flux powerbeam may be intense enough to ignite flammable objects (e.g., paper,cardboard). Thus, unless the beam path is generally inaccessible toobjects and living beings (e.g., in outer space), a laser power beamingsystem is improved by including a safety system arranged to detecthazards, including objects in or near the high-flux beam path, and toshut off the high-flux power beam or prevent the high-flux power beamfrom being activated.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingspecific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unlessspecifically defined herein, the terminology used herein is to be givenits traditional meaning as known in the relevant art.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of an environment 100 where amulti-stage wireless power system is utilized to provide wirelesselectrical power to personal electronic devices. The wireless electricalpower may be provided to the personal electronic devices via anuntethered power-transfer mechanism such as inductive coupling, magneticresonance, short-range microwave, or some other technology.

As the use of personal electronic devices, especially tablets and smartphones, continues to increase, so too does the need for places to chargethese devices. In many public places, users are often left looking for awall outlet where they can plug in their personal electronic device.However, many public places do not have wall outlets that are accessibleto the public. Some public places, such as airports and coffee shops,have started to install charging stations. These charging stations aretypically in a corner or against a wall where there are outlets to plugthe charging station into a mains power supply. The need for chargingstations to be directly connected to the mains power supply forces thecharging stations to be stationary or partially stationary with movementof a charging station being limited by the length of the power cordconnecting the charging station to the mains power supply.

The power beam system described herein allows for charging stations,which will be referred to throughout as a multi-stage wireless powersystem or the receiving unit of the multi-stage wireless power, tooperate without being connected to a mains power supply via a powercord. Accordingly, the multi-stage wireless power system describedherein can be utilized in restaurants, coffee shops, airports, hotellobbies, malls, or other locations where people may want to plug-in,charge, or recharge an electronic device while also having the freedomfor the charging station to be independent of a power cord connected tothe mains power supply. This independence for the charging stationpermits the proprietor, manager, administrator, or another person tosecure or freely move the charging station at will to a location remotefrom a mains power supply.

As used herein, a “power cord” includes a multi-conductor wire or otherelectrically conductive conduit such as a line cord that supplies mainspower, such as a 110 volt alternating current (AC), a 120 volt AC, a 220volt AC, from a reasonably permanent power supply such as a power grid.A power cord may also include a low voltage cord such as amulti-conductor wire conduit that conforms to a Universal Serial Bus(USB) protocol. Other electrically conductive wires, cables, conductors,conduits, leads, and the like are also considered power cords in thepresent disclosure.

The multi-stage wireless power system includes a transmitting unit 10and a receiving unit 22. The transmitting unit 10 includes a transmitter(not separately illustrated) that generates and transmits a power beam12 to the receiving unit 22.

The receiving unit 22 includes a receiver 14, a power storage system 16,and a power output unit 18. The receiver 14 captures at least a portionof the power beam 12 and converts it into electrical power that is localto the receiving unit 22.

The power output unit 18 includes one or more electrical output devicesthat can transfer or otherwise provide the local power from thereceiving unit 22 to a personal electronic device 20. In someembodiments, the power output unit 18 includes one or moreshort-range-wireless-power-transfer devices to transfer the local powerto the personal electronic device 20 without a power cord electricallyconnecting the personal electronic device 20 to the receiving unit 22.The short-range-wireless-power-transfer devices can includeinduction-based devices (e.g., using magnetic induction, resonantinduction, and other wireless power transfer technologies) or otherelectric coupling mechanisms that do not require the personal electronicdevice 20 to be plugged into the receiving unit 22 via a power cord. Forexample, the power output unit 18 can use charging “pads” that areembedded into a surface of an object. When a corresponding charging“pad” of the personal electronic device 20 comes into close proximity orphysical contact with the charging pad on the object, the electricalpower that is local to the receiving unit 22 is transferred to thepersonal electronic device 20.

In other embodiments, the power output unit 18 includes one or moreelectrical outlets that are arranged to accept a power cord of thepersonal electronic device 20, which can transfer the local power fromthe receiving unit 22 to the personal electronic device 20. AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates two short-range-wireless-power-transfer devices asthe power output units 18, embodiments are not so limited and othernumbers or combinations of wired or wireless power output units 18 maybe utilized to transfer the local power from the receiving unit 22 tothe personal electronic device 20.

In various embodiments, the local electrical power is stored in thepower storage system 16. In various embodiments, the power storagesystem 16 is a rechargeable battery. Although FIG. 1 illustrates asingle battery, embodiments are not so limited and other numbers ofbatteries or types of power storage systems may be utilized to store thelocal power. In some embodiments, the power storage system 16 may not beincluded, rather the local power may be provided from the receiver 14 tothe power output unit 18 without being pre-stored. It should beunderstood that the transmitting unit 10 may include a safety systemthat interrupts the transmission of the power beam 12 if an object comeswithin the vicinity of the power beam 12. So without a power storagesystem 16, the power provided to the personal electronic device 20 maybe intermittent if the power beam 12 is interrupted.

In FIG. 1, the receiving unit 22 is embodied in a non-stationary tablehaving a substantially planar table surface and a base to support thesubstantially planar table surface. The table is non-stationary becauseit can be moved freely or secured to a wall, floor, or other fixture.Other terms that may be interchangeably used in the present disclosurein place of the term “non-stationary” include “non-fixed,” “mobile,”“movable,” and the like.

During a charging phase, the table is within a line-of-sight of thetransmitting unit 10. At other times, however, the table may be moved toa different location. For example, during daytime business hours, thetable may be moved outdoors to a location that services the particularoperations of a business, and during evening hours, the table may bemoved indoors where its power storage system 16 is recharged. Inaddition, or in the alternative, some embodiments may de-activate apower beam during particular time windows, such as during an company'sbusiest hours.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the receiver 14 is a light-based receiverintegrated with the table's surface. In other embodiments, however, thereceiver 14 may be integrated in the table base or some other portion ofthe receiving unit 22. Generally speaking, the receiver 14 is arrangedsuch that a line-of-sight transmission path between the receiver 14 andthe transmitting unit 10 may be operatively arranged when convenient,necessary, or according to some particular schedule.

In some embodiments, the transmitting unit 10 includes circuitry orother electronic components (not illustrated) to determine a location ofthe receiving unit 22. As described herein, the receiving unit 22 is notconnected to a mains power supply via a power cord and may be embeddedin or be part of an object that is moveable. The location of thereceiving unit 22 relative to the transmitting unit 10 may change if theobject that includes the receiving unit 22 is moved. Accordingly, thetransmitting unit 10 can determine where the receiving unit 22 (and inparticular the receiver 14 of the receiving unit) is relative to thetransmitting unit 10 and can aim the transmitter of the transmittingunit 10 at the receiving unit 22.

The personal electronic device 20 may be virtually any mobile orstationary electronic device that receives power or is charged orrecharged from an external power supply. Examples of the personalelectronic device 20 may include, but are not limited to, cell phones,smart phones, laptop computers, tablet computers, or other mobileelectronic devices. The personal electronic device 20 may also includeother electronic devices that are generally not considered mobile, suchas, but not limited to, televisions, desktop computers, desk lamps, orother electronic devices. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only a singlepersonal electronic device 20, embodiments are not so limited. In someembodiments, a plurality of personal electronic devices 20 may receivepower from the receiving unit 22.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a power beam system. As described abovewith respect to FIG. 1, the power beam system includes a transmittingunit 10 and a receiving unit 22. The transmitting unit 10 includes aprocessor 34, a memory 28, and a power transmitter 30. The powertransmitter 30 generates and transmits the power beam to the receivingunit 22. Although FIG. 2 illustrates a single power transmitter 30,embodiments are not so limited. In some embodiments, the transmittingunit 10 may include a plurality of transmitters 30, with eachtransmitter 30 being dedicated for a separate receiving unit 22. Inother embodiments, the transmitting unit 10 may include a singletransmitter 30 arranged to power a plurality of receiving units 22. Instill other cases, one or more transmitters 30 may be operated with oneor more receiving units 22 in any useful arrangement.

The memory 28 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed bythe processor 34. In some embodiments, the memory 28 may also store thelocation of one or more receiving units 22 after the location isdetermined by the transmitting unit 10. As described elsewhere herein,the power beam may be continuously transmitted to the receiving unit 22(except for when it is interrupted due to an object), transmitted atpredetermined times, transmitted at predetermined intervals, ortransmitted on-demand when requested by the receiving unit 22.Accordingly, the memory 28 may store the timing and rate schedule fortransmitting the power beam to each corresponding receiving unit 22.

The receiving unit 22 includes a power receiver 14, a power storagesystem 24, and a power output unit 18. The power receiver 14 includes atleast one receiver to receive at least a portion of the power beam fromthe power transmitter 30 and convert it into electrical power that islocal to the receiving unit 22. In some embodiments, there may bemultiple power beams transmitting to the receiver 14 or there may bemultiple receivers 14 arranged to receive power beams provided frommultiple transmitters 30.

The power storage system 24 includes a battery or other electricalstorage technology that can be charged by the electrical power receivedby the power receiver 14 and supply that stored power to the poweroutput unit 18. As described elsewhere herein, the power output unit 18includes one or more electrical output devices that can transfer orotherwise provide the local power from the receiving unit 22 to apersonal electronic device 20.

In some embodiments, the receiving unit 22 may also include a processor,memory, or other circuitry (not illustrated) to perform other actions.For example, in some embodiments, the receiving unit 22 may monitor acharge or capacity level of the power storage system 24. When thecapacity level falls below or otherwise crosses a predeterminedthreshold, then the receiving unit 22 transmits a signal to thetransmitting unit 10 requesting or otherwise instructing thetransmitting unit 10 to initialize transmission of the power beam to thereceiver 14. Once the capacity level is crosses another threshold value,then the receiving unit 22 transmits another signal to the transmittingunit 10 instructing the transmitting unit 10 to halt the transmission ofthe power beam. In some embodiments, the transmitting unit 10 may waitidle unit it receives an instruction from the receiving unit 22 or itmay transmit the power beam to another receiving unit 22.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates a single receiving unit 22, embodiments arenot so limited. In some embodiments, a plurality of receiving units 22may be charged by one or more transmitting units 10. In someembodiments, the transmitting unit 10 may transmit the power beam to onereceiving unit 22 before transmitting the power beam to a differentreceiving unit 22. In at least one embodiment, the transmitting unit maysystematically transmit the power beam to each of a plurality ofreceiving units 22 in a predetermined order for a predetermined amountof time or until the power storage system 24 of the correspondingreceiving unit 22 is sufficiently charged. In other embodiments, thetransmitting unit 10 may transmit the power beam to a receiving unit 22that is being utilized by a highest number of personal electronicdevices 20 or the receiving unit 22 that is outputting the most power tothe personal electronic device 20.

Non-limiting and exemplary operation of certain aspects of thedisclosure will now be described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. In atleast one of various embodiments, processes 300 and 400 described inconjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, may be implemented by orexecuted on one or more computing devices, such as transmitting unit 10,receiving unit 22, or other power beam systems.

FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of aprocess for utilizing a multi-stage wireless power system to providewireless power to a personal electronic device.

Process 300 begins after a start block. At block 302, a receiver(s) 14of a receiving unit(s) 22 is identified and located by a transmittingunit 10. In various embodiments, the transmitting unit 10 includes aproximity detector that is arranged to locate the receiver 14 of areceiving unit 22. Various different types of location detectiontechnology known to those skilled in the art can be utilizes, including,but not limited to, cameras, radio frequency triangulation, or otherdevices that can be used to locate another object (i.e., a receiver).Once the location of the receiver 14 is determined, the transmitter 30is aimed towards the receiver 14 so that the power beam is transmittedtowards the receiver 14.

As described herein, the receiving unit 22 may be stationary ornon-stationary. Accordingly, the location of the receiving unit 22(i.e., the receiver 14) may be monitored to determine if the receivingunit 22 has moved in a way that would require an adjustment to the aimof the power beam. This monitoring may occur periodically (e.g., once aminute) or it may be based on a sensor output (e.g., a rangefinderoutputs a different distance between the transmitter 30 and the receiver14). In yet other embodiments, the location of the receiver 14 may beprovided by an administrator (e.g., by entering the coordinates of thereceiver 14 relative to the transmitter 30) or the transmitter 30 may bemanually aimed by the administrator.

Process 300 proceeds to block 304, where a power beam is generated andtransmitted from the transmitter 30 to the receiver 14. As mentionedabove, the power beam includes beams formed by high-flux laser diodes orother like sources sufficient to deliver a desirable level of power tothe receiver 14 without passing the power over a conventional electricalconduit, such as wire.

In various embodiments, there may be more than one receiving unit 22associated with a single transmitting unit 10. Accordingly, thetransmitter 30 in the transmitting unit 10 may alternate transmittingthe power beam between each receiving unit 22 as described elsewhereherein. In other embodiments, the transmitting unit 10 may include aseparate transmitter 30 for each separate receiver 14 or receiving unit22.

Process 300 continues at block 306, where the received flux fromreceived power beam is converted into electrical power. Varioustechniques known to those skilled in the art may be employed to captureand convert the power beam into electrical power. In variousembodiments, this electrical power is referred to as local electricalpower because it is utilized by a receiving unit to provide power to apersonal electronic device without being supplemented by otherelectrical power provided by a mains power supply via a power cord.

Process 300 proceeds next to block 308, where the local power is storedin a power storage system 24. In various embodiments, the local power isstored in a battery. In some embodiments, block 308 may be optional andmay not be performed, rather the local power may be provided directly toa personal electronic device 20 without first being stored.

Process 300 continues next at block 310, where the local power isprovided to an electronic device (e.g., personal electronic device 20)via a power output unit 18. As described elsewhere herein, receivingunit 22 includes a power output unit 18 that may include ashort-range-wireless-power transfer device or an electrical outlet, orboth. When a personal electronic device 20 is electrically coupled tothe power output unit 18, such as via a charging “pad” for wirelesspower transfer or a power cord, the local power is transferred to thepersonal electronic device 20.

After block 310, process 300 optionally terminates. In other cases,processing may controllably, conditionally, or automatically return backto block 302.

FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of aprocess for modifying a power beam transmission to provide wirelesspower to a personal electronic device.

Process 400 begins after a start block. At block 402, one or moresensors are utilized to detect objects that are in the vicinity of thepower beam. In various embodiments, objects in the vicinity of the powerbeam may include objects that are near, impeding, or about to impede thepower beam. The one or more sensors can include, but are not limited to,light curtains, cameras, rangefinders, infrared sensors, radar sensors,ultrasound sensors, or other object detecting sensors.

Process 400 proceeds to decision block 404, where a determination ismade whether one or more objects are detected in the vicinity of thepower beam. In various embodiments, the sensors may provideobject-intrusion information about a detected object. Suchobject-intrusion information may include, but is not limited to, a“binary” signal that indicates that a sensor has detected an object orother information about the detected object, such as a size of theobject; location of the object relative to the power beam; distance fromthe transmitter or sensor; speed and direction the object is moving; orother information that is used to determine if the object is in factimpeding, near, or about to impede the power beam.

If an object is detected, process 400 flows to decision block 406;otherwise, process 400 loops to block 402 to continue to utilize andmonitor the sensors for objects that are in the vicinity of the powerbeam. If the power beam transmission was previously modified at blocks410 or 412 and there is no longer an object in the vicinity of the powerbeam, then the power beam transmission may return to normal operation.

At decision block 406 a determination is made whether to modify thepower beam transmission. In some embodiments, the system may determinethat the detected object will not impede the power beam, such as if theobject becomes stationary or is moving in a direction away from thepower beam. In this case, the power beam transmission may not bemodified or otherwise altered. If the power beam transmission isaltered, then process 400 flows to decision block 408; otherwise,process 400 loops to block 402 to continue to utilize and monitor thesensors for objects that are in the vicinity of the power beam.

At decision block 408, a determination is made whether to interrupt thepower beam transmission. In some embodiments, this determination may bebased on the type of object, whether it is in fact impeding the powerbeam, or whether the power beam will cause harm to the object. If thepower beam transmission is to be interrupted, process 400 flows to block412; otherwise, process 400 flows to block 410.

At block 412, the power beam transmission is interrupted. In someembodiments, interrupting the power beam transmission may includepowering down or halting the power beam, closing a shutter or cap on thetransmitter 30 to prohibit the power beam from being projected towardsthe receiver 14, or otherwise terminating the transmission of the powerbeam from the transmitter 30.

In various embodiments, a second transmitter may be instructed to begintransmitting a second power beam at the receiver 14. The secondtransmitter may be positioned in a different location than the firsttransmitter so that the second power beam arrives at the receiver from adifferent angle from the first power beam. In this way, if one powerbeam becomes interrupted, a second power beam, from a differentlocation, can provide wireless power to the receiving unit.

After block 412, process 400 flows to decision block 414.

If, at decision block 408, the power beam transmission is notinterrupted, then process 400 flows from decision block 408 to block410. At block 410, the power beam intensity is reduced. In someembodiments, reducing the power beam intensity includes putting thepower beam into a safe mode of operation. Although less power may bedelivered to the receiver, the reduced power may still be sufficient topower the personal electronic device 20, to slowly recharge the powerstorage system 24 (e.g., if the personal electronic device 20 is notbeing charged by the receiving unit 22), or to slow the depletion ordischarge of the power storage system (e.g., by supplementing the powerprovided by the power storage system power when charging the personalelectronic device 20).

After block 410 and after block 412, process 400 flows to decision block414, where a determination is made whether the power beam transmissiontiming is modified. The power beam may be continuously transmitted tothe receiver (except for when it is interrupted due to an object),transmitted at predetermined times, transmitted at predeterminedintervals, or transmitted on-demand when requested by the receivingunit. However, the rate, timing, or scheduling at which the power beamis transmitted to the receiving unit may be modified based on a varietyof different factors, including, but not limited to, the number ofinterruptions over a given period of time, number of electronic devicesdrawing power from the receiving unit, a capacity level of the powerstorage system, the power storage system settings or design parameters,or other factors that may impact how often the power beam should betransmitted to the receiving unit. If the power beam transmission timingis to be modified, process 400 flows to block 416; otherwise, process400 loops to block 402 to continue to utilize and monitor the sensorsfor objects that are in the vicinity of the power beam

At block 416, the power beam transmission timing is modified. Asmentioned above, the multi-stage wireless power system described hereinmay be utilized in a variety of different settings, such as restaurants,coffee shops, airports, hotel lobbies, malls, or other locations wherepeople may want to plug-in, charge, or recharge an electronic device. Ifthe power beam is to be continuously transmitted during business hours,it is possible that the power beam may be repeatedly interrupted due tohigh traffic volumes of people walking around the system. In this typeof situation the power beam may be scheduled to be transmitted atpredetermined times, such as during non-business hours or low-traffichours. In some embodiments, low-traffic hours may be determined based onthe number of power beam interruptions per hour or set by anadministrator.

In some situations, only transmitting the power beam at low-traffichours may not provide sufficient power to the receiving unit for thetime when the power beam is not being transmitted. This situation mayarise when the power storage system does not have a large enough volumeto supply power to electronic devices for prolonged periods of time orto supply power to numerous electronic devices at the same time.Similarly, the power storage system may be designed for continuouscharging or for steady interval charging. So in some embodiments, thepower beam may be scheduled to be transmitted at predetermined timeintervals for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the powerbeam may be transmitted to the receiving unit every hour for 10 minutes.In various embodiments, this scheduling may be adjusted or otherwisemodified based on the number of interrupts of the power beam, propertiesof the power storage system, or other factors.

After block 416, process 400 returns to block 402 to continue to utilizeand monitor the sensors for objects that are in the vicinity of thepower beam.

Certain words and phrases used in the present disclosure are set forthas follows. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivativesthereof, mean inclusion without limitation. Unless the context requiresotherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, theword “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and“comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, e.g.,“including, but not limited to.” The term “or,” is inclusive, meaningand/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” aswell as derivatives thereof in all grammatical forms, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like. The term “controller” meansany device, system, or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware, orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. Thefunctionality associated with any particular controller may becentralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Otherdefinitions of certain words and phrases may be provided within thispatent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatin many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as wellas future uses of such defined words and phrases.

Where one or more figures included in the present disclosure illustratesa data flow diagram, the illustrated process is a non-limiting processthat may be used by embodiments of high-flux power beam or fieldsystems. In this regard, each described process may represent a module,segment, or portion of software code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that in some implementations, thefunctions noted in the process may occur in a different order, mayinclude additional functions, may occur concurrently, and/or may beomitted.

The figures in the present disclosure illustrate portions of one or morenon-limiting computing device embodiments. The computing devices mayinclude operative hardware found in conventional computing deviceapparatuses such as one or more processors, volatile and non-volatilememory, serial and parallel input/output (I/O) circuitry compliant withvarious standards and protocols, wired and/or wireless networkingcircuitry (e.g., a communications transceiver), one or more userinterface (UI) modules, logic, and other electronic circuitry.

A processor (i.e., a processing unit), as used in the presentdisclosure, refers to one or more processing units individually, shared,or in a group, having one or more processing cores (e.g., executionunits), including central processing units (CPU's), microcontrollers(MCU), digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integratedcircuits (ASIC), and the like. The processors interchangeably refer toany type of electronic control circuitry configured to executeprogrammed software instructions. The programmed instructions may behigh-level software instructions, compiled software instructions,assembly-language software instructions, object code, binary code,micro-code, or the like. The programmed instructions may reside ininternal or external memory or may be hard-coded as a state machine orset of control signals. According to methods and devices referencedherein, embodiments describe software executable by the processor andoperable to execute certain ones of the method acts.

As known by one skilled in the art, a computing device has one or morememories, and each memory comprises any combination of volatile andnon-volatile computer-readable media for reading and writing. Volatilecomputer-readable media includes, for example, random access memory(RAM). Non-volatile computer-readable media includes, for example, readonly memory (ROM), magnetic media such as a hard-disk, an optical diskdrive, a floppy diskette, a flash memory device, a CD-ROM, and/or thelike. In some cases, a particular memory is separated virtually orphysically into separate areas, such as a first memory, a second memory,a third memory, etc. In these cases, it is understood that the differentdivisions of memory may be in different devices or embodied in a singlememory. The memory in some cases is a non-transitory computer mediumconfigured to store software instructions arranged to be executed by aprocessor.

The computing devices illustrated herein may further include operativesoftware found in a conventional computing device such as an operatingsystem or task loop, software drivers to direct operations through I/Ocircuitry, networking circuitry, and other peripheral componentcircuitry. In addition, the computing devices may include operativeapplication software such as network software for communicating withother computing devices, database software for building and maintainingdatabases, and task management software where appropriate fordistributing the communication and/or operational workload amongstvarious processors. In some cases, the computing device is a singlehardware machine having at least some of the hardware and softwarelisted herein, and in other cases, the computing device is a networkedcollection of hardware and software machines working together in aserver farm to execute the functions of one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Some aspects of the conventional hardware and softwareof the computing device are not shown in the figures for simplicity.

When so arranged as described herein, each computing device may betransformed from a generic and unspecific computing device to acombination device comprising hardware and software configured for aspecific and particular purpose.

Database structures, if any are present in the power beam systemembodiment or in other embodiments, may be formed in a single databaseor multiple databases. In some cases hardware or software storagerepositories are shared amongst various functions of the particularsystem or systems to which they are associated. A database may be formedas part of a local system or local area network. Alternatively, or inaddition, a database may be formed remotely, such as within a “cloud”computing system, which would be accessible via a wide area network orsome other network.

Input/output (I/O) circuitry and user interface (UI) modules includeserial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, IEEE802.11 transceivers and other transceivers compliant with protocolsadministered by one or more standard-setting bodies, displays,projectors, printers, keyboards, computer mice, microphones,micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) devices such as accelerometers, and thelike.

In some cases, the memory is a non-transitory computer readable medium(CRM). The CRM is configured to store computing instructions executableby a processor of the power beam system. The computing instructions maybe stored individually or as groups of instructions in files. The filesmay include functions, services, libraries, and the like. The files mayinclude one or more computer programs or may be part of a largercomputer program. Alternatively or in addition, each file may includedata or other computational support material useful to carry out thecomputing functions of the power beam system.

Buttons, keypads, computer mice, memory cards, serial ports, bio-sensorreaders, touch screens, and the like may individually or in cooperationbe useful to an operator of the power beam system. The devices may, forexample, input control information into the system. Displays, printers,memory cards, LED indicators, temperature sensors, audio devices (e.g.,speakers, piezo device, etc.), vibrators, and the like are all useful topresent output information to the operator of the power beam system. Insome cases, the input and output devices are directly or electronicallycoupled to a processor or other operative circuitry. In other cases, theinput and output devices pass information via one or more communicationports (e.g., RS-232, RS-485, infrared, USB, etc.)

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to anyspecifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated rangeincludes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both ofthose included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, the technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limitednumber of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

As used in the present disclosure, the term “module” refers to anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, aprocessor and a memory operative to execute one or more software orfirmware programs, combinational logic circuitry, or other suitablecomponents (i.e., hardware, software, or hardware and software) thatprovide the functionality described with respect to the module.

The terms, “real-time” or “real time,” as used interchangeably hereinand in the claims that follow, are not intended to imply instantaneousprocessing, transmission, reception, or otherwise as the case may be.Instead, the terms, “real-time” and “real time” imply that the activityoccurs over an acceptably short period of time (e.g., over a period ofmicroseconds, milliseconds, seconds, minutes or some other time frame asthe context of the term's use implies), and that the activity may beperformed on an ongoing basis (e.g., stopping the transmission of ahigh-flux power beam or field). An example of an activity that is notreal-time is one that occurs over an extended period of time (e.g.,hours, days, weeks, months, years, or some other time frame as thecontext of the term's use implies) or that occurs based on interventionor direction by a person or other activity.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not limit or interpret the scope or meaning ofthe embodiments.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. These and other changes can be made to theembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims, but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

1. A system, comprising: a transmitting unit, the transmitting unitincluding,: a light-based transmitter to generate and transmit a powerbeam; a controller to manage transmission of the power beam by thelight-based transmitter; and a non-stationary receiving unit that isremote from the light-based transmitter, the non-stationary receivingunit including: a light-based receiver to receive at least a portion ofthe power beam and to convert the received portion of the power beaminto local electrical power, wherein the local electrical power is localto the non-stationary receiving unit; a power storage system to storethe local electrical power; and a power output unit to provide the localelectrical power from the power storage system to a personal electronicdevice when the personal electronic device is electrically coupled tothe power output unit, wherein the personal electronic device isseparable from the non-stationary receiving unit.
 2. A system accordingto claim 1, wherein the power output unit of the non-stationaryreceiving unit includes a short-range-wireless-power-transfer device towirelessly provide the local electrical power to the personal electronicdevice.
 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein theshort-range-wireless-power-transfer device is arranged to transfer thelocal electrical power via an inductive coupling to the personalelectronic device.
 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the poweroutput unit includes at least one connector arranged to receive a powercord, the power cord electrically coupled to the personal electronicdevice and arranged to provide the local electrical power to thepersonal electronic device.
 5. A system according to claim 1, whereinthe non-stationary receiving unit is arranged to receive at least theportion of the power beam from the light-based transmitter in an absenceof a corded electrical connection between the receiving unit and a mainspower supply, and wherein the non-stationary receiving unit is furtherarranged to provide the local electrical power to the personalelectronic device in the absence of the corded electrical connectionbetween the receiving unit and the mains power supply.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to direct thelight-based transmitter to transmit the power beam toward a secondnon-stationary receiving unit.
 7. A system according to claim 1, whereinthe transmitting unit includes a locator device to determine a locationof the light-based receiver relative to the light-based transmitter, andwherein the controller is arranged to aim the light-based transmitter atthe light-based receiver based on the determined location of thereceiver.
 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the controller isarranged to adjust a timing parameter associated with a transmission ofthe power beam by the light-based transmitter based on a number ofinterruptions of the power beam over a given time period.
 9. A system,comprising: a non-stationary receiving unit that is independent from aconnection to a mains power supply and is remote from a light-basedtransmitter arranged to transmit a power beam to the receiving unit, thenon-stationary receiving unit including: a substantially planar tablesurface; a base to support the substantially planar table surface; alight-based receiver integrated with at least one of the substantiallyplanar table surface and the base, the light-based receiver arranged toreceive at least a portion of the power beam and to convert the receivedportion of the power beam into local electrical power that is local tothe receiving unit; and a power output unit integrated with thesubstantially planar table surface to provide the local electrical powerto an electronic device when the electronic device is electricallycoupled to the power output unit.
 10. A system according to claim 9,wherein the power output unit of the non-stationary receiving unitincludes a short-range-wireless-power-transfer device to wirelesslyprovide the local electrical power to the electronic device.
 11. Asystem according to claim 9, wherein the power output unit includes anelectrical outlet to provide the local electrical power to theelectronic device via a power cord.
 12. A system according to claim 9,wherein the non-stationary receiving unit is arranged to receive atleast a portion of the power beam from the light-based transmitter in anabsence of a corded electrical connection between the receiving unit andthe mains power supply, and wherein the non-stationary receiving unit isfurther arranged to provide the local electrical power to the electronicdevice in the absence of the corded electrical connection between thereceiving unit and the mains power supply.
 13. A system according toclaim 9, wherein the receiving unit includes a power storage system tostore the local electrical power received by the light-based receiver,the power storage system arranged to provide the local electrical powerto the power output unit, and the power storage system integrated withat least one of the substantially planar table surface and the base. 14.A method, comprising: transmitting a power beam from a light-basedtransmitter toward a receiving unit; receiving at least a portion of thepower beam at the receiving unit; converting the received portion of thepower beam into local electrical power; and providing the localelectrical power to a personal electronic device in an absence of acorded connection between the receiving unit and a mains power supply.15. A method according to claim 14, wherein providing the localelectrical power to the personal electronic device includes providingthe local electrical power through a short-range-wireless-power-transferdevice that transfers the electrical power to the personal electronicdevice without a power cord.
 16. A method according to claim 14, whereinproviding the local electrical power to the personal electronic deviceincludes providing the local electrical power through an electricaloutlet to the personal electronic device via a power cord.
 17. A methodaccording to claim 14, further comprising: scanning an area surroundingthe light-based transmitter to identify the receiving unit; in responseto identifying the receiving unit, determining a location of thereceiving unit relative to the light-based transmitter; and aiming thelight-based transmitter at the receiving unit based on the determinedlocation of the receiving unit.
 18. A method according to claim 14,further comprising: storing the local electrical power in a power supplythat is local to the receiving unit prior to providing the localelectrical power to the personal electronic device via the power outputunit.
 19. A method according to claim 14, further comprising: detectingone or more objects in a vicinity of the power beam; determining thatthe one or more objects pose a risk of impeding the transmission of thepower beam from the light-based transmitter to the receiving unit; andin response to the determination of risk, interrupting the transmissionof the power beam at least until the one or more objects exit thevicinity of the power beam.
 20. A method according to claim 14, furthercomprising: detecting one or more objects in a vicinity of the powerbeam; determining that the one or more objects pose a risk of impedingthe transmission of the power beam from the light-based transmitter tothe receiver; and in response to the determination of risk, decreasingan intensity of the power beam at least until the one or more objectsexit the vicinity of the power beam.